Review: SRT’s ‘White Christmas’ is full of holiday cheer

Sierra Repertory Theatre’s lively production of “White Christmas,” now playing at the Fallon House in Columbia, combines humor, nostalgia and plenty of show-stopping choreography. As if that wasn’t enough, the musical features 17 classic Irving Berlin songs to help tell the story.

The play, based on the 1954 film of the same name, follows Broadway stars Bob Wallace and Phil Davis on their adventure with the up-and-coming Haynes sisters to help save a Vermont ski lodge — which happens to be named the Columbia Inn.

Continue to read this article and more, subscribe now

Sierra Repertory Theatre’s lively production of “White Christmas,” now playing at the Fallon House in Columbia, combines humor, nostalgia and plenty of show-stopping choreography. As if that wasn’t enough, the musical features 17 classic Irving Berlin songs to help tell the story.

The play, based on the 1954 film of the same name, follows Broadway stars Bob Wallace and Phil Davis on their adventure with the up-and-coming Haynes sisters to help save a Vermont ski lodge — which happens to be named the Columbia Inn.

Director Jerry Lee has perfectly cast Jordan Cyphert as Wallace and Chaz Feuerstine as Davis along with Hannah Zilber as Betty Haynes and Fiona McIntyre as Judy Haynes.

While the two couples are portrayed by four actors making their SRT debuts, the play also features local talent: Ty Smith delivers a solid performance (as usual) as General Waverley and Don Bilotti provides laughs as the man-of-few-words Ezekiel Foster.

Even though Thanksgiving remains two weeks away, it’s already Christmas in Columbia thanks to set designer Josh Roscoe.

With its candy-colored lighting by Mike Sali and dazzling costumes by Rebecca Meredith, this production of “White Christmas” had moments reminiscent of last year’s award-winning musical “La La Land.”

What really stands out, however, is the expert choreography by Zoe Swenson-Graham. Highlights include “Let Yourself Go,” “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,” “Blue Skies” and “I Love a Piano.”

Other songs range from the playful “Love and the Weather” to the dramatic “How Deep is the Ocean?” The plays ends with an audience singalong of the classic title song, “White Christmas,” followed by “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.”

On opening night, the actors received a well-deserved standing ovation. The cast is clearly having fun and it’s contagious.

With all the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season, make sure to set aside time to see this play.

“White Christmas” runs through Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Fallon House Theater in Columbia State Historic Park. For tickets and show times, contact sierrarep.org or (209) 532-3120.